Rhode Island General Laws Title 37. Public Property and Works § 37-2.2-4. Disability business enterprise committee--Membership--Duties

(a) There is hereby established within the governor's commission on disabilities a committee, consisting of seven (7) persons, to be known as the disability business enterprise committee.

(b) The committee, shall consist of the director of the department of human services or his or her designee; the director of the department of behavioral healthcare, developmental disabilities and hospitals or his or her designee; the chief executive officer of the Rhode Island commerce corporation or his or her designee; the director of administration or his or her designee; and three (3) persons with disabilities appointed by the chairperson of the governor's commission on disabilities. All members of the committee shall serve without compensation. Of the number appointed originally under this chapter, one-third ( 1/3 ) shall be appointed for a term of one year; one-third ( 1/3 ) shall be appointed for a term of two (2) years; and one-third ( 1/3 ) shall be appointed for a term of three (3) years. Thereafter, vacancies created by expiration of terms shall be filled with appointments for terms of three (3) years. Members whose terms expire may be reappointed to succeed themselves. The chairperson of the governor's commission on disabilities or his or her designee shall serve as chairperson of the committee. The members of the committee shall elect a vice chairperson and other officers as are necessary from amongst themselves annually.

(c) The governor's commission on disabilities shall promulgate such rules and regulations, in accordance with the Administrative Procedures Act, chapter 35 of title 42, as are necessary and proper to ensure responsible management, operation, oversight of the committee, and ensure that all businesses referred to in § 37-2.2-3.1 meet all applicable government regulations and standards, including those of the United States department of labor, the state department of human services, and the chief purchasing officer with regard to developing a program which involves small disadvantaged businesses as contractors, § 37-2-9(b)(14).

(d) The committee shall establish a procedure to certify small disadvantaged disability businesses that qualify under § 37-2.2-3.1 and submit a list of the certified small disadvantaged disability businesses and the products and services provided by them to the chief purchasing officer at least once a year. The chief purchasing officer shall utilize that procurement list in the program which involves small disadvantaged businesses as contractors established by § 37-2-9(b)(14).